Gibson Studios in Miami, Florida, was one of several retina-resetting stops on the Harley-Davidson “Art of Custom” media tour. Learn more and view the photos …
www.cycleworld.com/2012/03/…/harley-davidson-art-of-custo…
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Corbin has announced that they have recently submitted their permit application to the city of Hollister and are planning their 3rd Annual Rider Appreciation Day for Saturday, June 30, 2012 (the weekend before the Fourth of July).

Last year, Corbin had thousands of riders show up in Hollister, California (where the most famous, or infamous motorcycle rally took place) to help celebrate our country’s birthday and take part in the festivities. This year Corbin is also having a trade show right on their property and the vender space is FREE! You better register early to make sure you get a spot! For those venders who are ready to commit to attending, Corbin will add your logo to their promotional literature.

If you would like to participate as a vendor this year, you can request an application via email. Please contact: joni@corbin.com . Corbin is sending all of their promotional material to the printer soon, so act fast!

Corbin is also working with Biker Bob to put on another custom bike show front and center on the Corbin lot. This year it will be bigger and better with special goodies being handed out to the winners. You’ve put a lot of work into your bike and here’s your chance to garner a little attention for all of your efforts. Not just attention, but a nifty trophy or award to boot! 6 different classes will be judged:
Street: Factory custom, non-bagger
Custom: Chopper or exotic, 2-wheeler
Sport: Streetfighters and more
Touring: Baggers of all brands
Trike: 3-Wheelers of all brands
Best of Clubs: Patch Clubs’ favorites

As always, Corbin will be running factory tours throughout the day and will also be offering a 10% discount on all Corbin products. Installation of Corbin goodies is always free at the Corbin factory. Early pre-registrations will get a free lunch ticket but supplies are limited so don’t wait! Additional happenings will include:
The Elks Club has confirmed they’ll do Tri-tip sandwiches again this year. They say last year’s event was one of their most successful fundraisers for the year.
The Boy Scouts of America will return to provide water, soda and energy drinks. The profits will  help Scouts get to the annual Jamboree.
The Backyard Blues Band will be returning to provide music for the Corbin event and they have also booked the Charlie Brechtel Band to play their little party.
If you’re thinking of going get your hotel reservations early. The town was sold out in 2011!

Pre-Registration has officially opened for 2012. Go to www.corbin.com  to sign up or to get more information on Corbin. You can also reach them at 800-538-7035. You can visit Corbin Headquarters at 2360 Technology Parkway, Hollister, California or Corbin Florida at 1433 US Highway 1, Ormond Beach, Florida. For more info about the Hollister Event www.corbin.com/rally/ and for a Vendor application: www.corbin.com/rally/vendorapp.pdf

Source and images: Corbin

Posted by Sam Kanish

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Biker Fusion, which benefits the “Soldiers’ Angels“, is one of the premier events at the Daytona Bike Week and this year the legendary Marine Drill Instructor, TV and movie star R. Lee “Gunny” Ermey will be presented with a custom Victory motorcycle there. In addition to “Gunny’s” bike presentation this year’s fundraising event includes a live auction featuring Precision Billet products, entertainment, and a number of great bikes from an impressive line-up of builders, moto-journalists and industry notables. Last year’s hosts Dave Perewitz and Paul Yaffe will be joined by Steve Broyles. The general public can attend this VIP event by making a $25 donation at the door or you can RSVP at www.facebook.com/events/238503579576295/ .

“We’re overwhelmed and humbled by the response we’ve gotten from the motorcycle industry. We’re grateful to our myriad in-kind sponsors, and to Victory Motorcycles and San Diego Harley-Davidson stepping up as new sponsors. The donations for our auction and raffle are a great demonstration of the generosity of this community and the spirit of Daytona Bike Week,” says Ken Conte, event organizer and owner of Rise Above Consulting. “People enjoy the event because it gives motorcycle enthusiasts the opportunity to rub elbows with an impressive list of world-class, A-List builders, industry leaders and celebrities, while raising money for an outstanding cause.”

This year Biker Fusion welcomes two new sponsors, Victory Motorcycles and San Diego Harley-Davidson to a long list of in-kind sponsors that have donated auction items. Event sponsors for the 5th Annual Biker Fusion include: The Doghouse Bar and Grill; Kandgcycles.com; Spectro Oil; Rise Above Consulting; R&R Promotions; Hot Leathers; Ride Wright Wheels; San Diego Harley-Davidson; Panama City Beach Motorcycle Week;  Precision Billet and Victory Motorcycles. This year’s auction and raffle features products from Choppers Inc.; Danny Gray Seats; Michael Lichter Photography; Hardcore Watch Company by Steve Soffa; Covingtons Customs; Wolfgang Publishing; Arlen Ness;  Buck Lovell Photography; Deadwood Tobacco; Fab Kevin Steel Chopper Parts; Chopdocs Choppers; Indian Larry Motorcycles; Fred Kodlin; David Uhl; and Sara Liberte. The event starts at 7:00 p.m. and is open to the general public for a $25 donation at the door with 100% of the proceeds benefiting Soldiers’ Angels.

Source and images: Rise Above Consulting
Posted by Sam Kanish

David Uhl’s donation Autumn Knuckle

Soul Collector Watch

Donated.

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Combining his passion for riding with history, Stan Ellsworth, straddles his custom Harley Davidson Softail Deluxe and rides through 250 years of American history. The former NFL player is the motorcycle riding host and creator of BYUtv’s atypical American history program, American Ride. Using the “open road” as a metaphor for freedom American Ride tells the quintessential story of the birth of the United States.

In each half-hour weekly installment, Ellsworth travels the trails of our nation’s history on his Harley bringing the past alive as he visits the actual locations of America’s founding and progression. Ellsworth’s passionate narrative is unscripted, and reflective of his unique perspective and personality. In his gruff baritone voice, he speaks eloquently of our heritage and extols the wisdom and bravery of our founders.

Introduced last year, the first season covered the dramatic story of the colonies and Revolutionary War from the highways and byways of the country. Now entering its second season, the odyssey continues, following the progress of the nation’s early years, leading up to the Civil War. Ellsworth’s history lessons feel like travel “postcards,” and his adventurous spirit and love for the United States is contagious and engaging without being a hard sell. You’ll find his rides, his storytelling and his TV program compelling and refreshingly different. You can watch the first season, streaming online here. www.byutv.org/watch/2a35a9a9-e0d2-4abb-9645-ca2d4aca4d17#!page=1&season=SEASON-1 .

Source: Thatcher & Co

Image coutesy of: Matthew Healey

Posted by Sam Kanish

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The Sturgis Buffalo Chip has announced the premiere broadcast date for the first of four live concert performances of the Sturgis concert series that were recorded in high definition at the Sturgis Buffalo Chip during the 2011 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. These shows will be broadcast in high definition on www.hd.net/ . The first, the LIVE concert performance of George Thorogood & The Destroyers, is scheduled for broadcast on this Sunday, March 4th at 8:00pm. The other three live concerts are scheduled for the following three Sundays in March.

Source: RevComm
Posted by Sam Kanish

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Are you riding one of the popular Street and Road Glide models? Would you like to make your bike safer? All you have to do is to upgrade the rear lights on it. There’s nothing worse than having some moron behind you that’s not paying attention. You can let them know what you’re doing by installing a good set of bright LED lights. Its really not that hard and Badlands Motorcycle Products makes LED lighting systems for most bikes from 1990 to present. On most bikes its just a simple plug-in to the OEM wiring harness. After installing the Radiantz 48 LED Retro Fit kit and Badlands LE-03-SR Equalizer III those soccer moms will know when you’re turning or braking. You can check out the lineup of American made Badlands Motorcycle Products at: www.badlandsmotorcycleproducts.com . When you do don’t forget to tell them you read about them in IronWorks.

Source and image: Badlands Motorcycle Products
Posted by Sam Kanish

Radiantz 48 LED Retro Fit kit and Badlands LE-03-SR Equalizer III

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Well this is “Leap Day” in a “Leap’ year and wouldn’t you know it the April 2012 issue of IronWorks will be leaping out at you from the newsstands next week. You’ll be able to tell it with the beautiful retro styled Boardtrack Panhead on the cover. Inside you’ll get a better look at that U.S. Choppers creation. Also featured is Fred Fortune’s “PsyClone”, his tribute to the 1915 Cyclone board track bike. it’s a striking yellow bike built around an ironhead Sporty motor. The next featured bike has a bit more modern look. It’s a sharp looking little hot rod 1983 Super Glide owned by Ira Biggs. Next up is a black and white chopper out of Wampum, PA. Its built to both show and go. Speaking and showing and going the next sweet custom by Gilliland Customs really turns heads. The bike that follows it not only turns heads but lives too. Its “SALT” a project bike initiated by Laura Klock and built with the help of the girls at the Abbott House (for abused girls) in South Dakota. It’s a beautiful bike and a great cause. Next is a clean machine built by Don Glover at GMS Racing Engines. Don’t let the age of this generator Shovel fool you. It will get it on. The last featured bike is the ‘Seasoned Citizen’ brought to us by Margie Siegal. This issue it’s a 1911 Wagner with quite a history behind it.

In the feature stories in this issue Marilyn Stemp takes a tour of the front range of the Rockies around Denver, Colorado. Her travels took her to several shops and a tour of the Uhl Studios. David Uhl is one of the great contemporary motorcycle artists in the world. David Mann was one of the iconic motorcycle artists and his memory is honored by the annual “Chopperfest” in Ventura, California. Ross Tomas gives us a visual montage of the happenings there. Meanwhile out in the IW Garage Marilyn Bragg had mounted a Mustang seat onto her Sportster and after putting a few miles on it gives us the lowdown in a IW Product Review. Also getting an IW Product Review by Paul Holdsworth is a Kriega Tool Roll. Paul emptied his tool box into a Kriega bag and then strapped it onto his FXRT. More rumblings come out of the IW Garage as T-Man Performance gives us a look at how they do performance headwork. Pretty cool stuff. So is the article about tires from the folks at Avon. There’s more than I thought about where the rubber meets the road. And if you need power to spin that tire S&S gets to the guts of engine building.

Last but certainly not least, we hope, you’ll not want to miss the words of wisdom (?) and thoughts by the regular contributors Marilyn Stemp, Bert Baker, ’Kiwi’ Mike Tomas and myself. BTW if you’re thinking of doing some traveling and are looking for some cool parts for your bike you better not forget to check out the IW Buyers Guide. This issue has stuff for touring bikes and baggers. Now if you subscribe you have already seen all that’s written here. If you subscribe you get the magazine sooner and its less expensive. All you have to do is click on the SUBSCRIBE button on the IW homepage.

Posted by Sam Kanish

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The most important tool in your garage might not be in your garage. The official factory authorized year and model specific service manual will prove invaluable if you plan on doing your own maintenace. In my case this is Harley-Davidson part number 99481-07 for 2007 Dyna Models. The parts catalog and electronic diagnostic manual are sold separately. This manual is far easier to read than I anticipated. It is actually very easy reading. At this time I have completed the first chapter which outlines the routine maintenance and have been reading the second chapter on the chasis bit by bit. Last night I read how to disassemble the front wheel. When I say bit by bit, I mean five to ten minutes of reading at most. The service manual includes all important specifications and torque values. Torque values? Yes, that’s the proper amount of force to tighten a bolt or screw using a special tool called a torque wrench. There was at least one maintenance procedure in the manual that did not have a helpful diagram and I had no idea what they were describing. It was the procedure to check the front end for proper tightness/looseness at the steering head. After I saw the procedure performed on the Fix My HOG DVD (see previous post) I completely understand it. This manual combined with the Fix My HOG DVD can have even a tooltarded individual such as myself changing their own fluids, brake pads and making adjustments where needed. Get the proper service manual for your motorcycle no matter what!

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The Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame has announced the 2012 inductees into the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum Hall of Fame and the Freedom Fighters Hall of Fame. The Sturgis Motorcycle Hall of Fame recognizes individuals or groups who have made a long term positive impact on the motorcycle community. The Freedom Fighters Hall of Fame recognizes the commitment and sacrifices individuals across the nation, and world, have made to protect the rights of motorcyclists. This year the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame will honor one Freedom Fighter and induct six into the Sturgis Hall of Fame.

Rodney Roberts, Freedom Fighters Hall of Fame; Rodney Roberts has spent countless hours fighting for motorcyclists rights since the late 1980s. Because of his efforts, the state of Arkansas repealed its helmet law in 1997. He still continues fighting for motorcyclists rights in the Arkansas General Assembly.

Dave Barr may not be the person you’d picture as an avid motorcyclist, but he certainly is. He lost both of his legs in a landmine explosion while serving in Angola in 1981. Since then he’s ridden around the world, including Siberia and to the four points of Australia. He’s written books, produced documentaries, earned two Guinness World Records and established the Patriot Express, a foundation that supports Fischer House in its mission to assist military servicemen and their families during hospitalization and unexpected injury or illness.

Buzz Kanter is a publisher whose company, TAM Communications publishes American Iron, Motorcycle Bagger, American Iron Garage and RoadBike. He has also published trade magazines American Iron Retailer and MotoSports Retailer. Buzz road raced in the late 1970s and still competes in various forms of racing including the MotoGiro-USA and
the Motorcycle Cannonball.

Brian & Laura Klock have impacted the motorcycling world both individually and as a couple. They own Klock Werks Kustom Cycles in Mitchell, South Dakota and built the only bagger to win a Discovery Channel Biker Build-Off. Laura then took it at the Bonneville Salt Flats and set her first National Land Speed Record on it in 2006. Since then Brian, Laura and her daughters have set land speed records. Laura has co-founded “Helping With Horsepower”, a charitable organization that designs volunteer programs that empower, encourage and raise funds for worthy charities.

Ed Kretz, Jr. was a talented competitive racer in the 1950s and 1960s in road racing, TT racing, dirt track racing and short track racing winning an AMA Grand National Championship. Kretz was born into a motorcycling family. His father was the most popular motorcycle racer of the 1930s and ‘40s and owned a dealership.  Ed worked for his father starting at a young age, and started racing in his teens. He continued his involvement in motorcycling and has been a great ambassador for the sport of motorcycle racing after he ended his racing career.

Steve Piehl (J.C. Pappy Hoel Outstanding Achievement Award) – In the early 1980s Steve developed and organized the Harley Owners group (HOG) a factory-sponsored rider organization. Since January 1983, less than 30 years, it has become the largest riders group in the world with 900,000 members. Steve was the first manager of HOG and set direction for membership, local chapters and events. Steve’s current role is Director of Customer Experience where he continues to build HOG.

Ron Stratman started riding at the age of 15 and raced for over twenty years as an amateur and professional racer. He also sponsored and co-sponsored races and even sponsored other racers for a number of years. Ron founded the Sturgis Harley-Davidson which resided on Main Street in Sturgis. In the 1970s, Ron and his family started selling merchandise at races around the country and at Harley-Davidson dealerships. In 1983 he became one of the first Harley-Davidson official licensees. Ron is also known as “The Buffalo Man” for the motorcycle covered with a full buffalo hide that he rides down Main Street in Sturgis.

The annual Sturgis Motorcycle Hall of Fame Induction Breakfast is scheduled on Wednesday, August 8 at 9:00 a.m. at The Lodge at Deadwood in Deadwood, South Dakota.

Breakfast tickets are available for a $35.00 donation, tables of eight for $300.00.  Tickets can be purchased through the Museum at 605.347.2001 or on line at www.sturgismuseum.com/cart/ .

Our congratulations to all the well deserving recipients.

Source: Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame

Posted by Sam Kanish

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The Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show rolled into the heart of NACSAR country last week as part of the International Motorcycle Show. Bike fans were treated to loads of beautiful custom machines. Not only did the visitors get treated but so did the exhibitors as IronWorks through a pizza party for the builders. Not only that, but an Editor’s Choice Award was handed out by IW’s Marilyn Stemp. Here’s a list and look at the winners from the Charlotte UBCBS.

FreeStyle
Creating custom bikes involves passion and Jeremy Cupp of LC Fabrications has a passion for classic motorcycles and through his passion he crafts kinetic two-wheeled art. His latest masterpiece, Old Black, took 1st place at the Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show in Charlotte, North Carolina. Jeremy’s shop LC Fabrications specializes in custom parts for mainly Sportsters and Triumphs and his 1976 883cc XL was a show stopper. It features jackshafted dual chain drive, dual rear brake drums, custom open rocker valvetrain, dual Amal carbs with 2 rear heads. You can tell by the detail and impact of the bike that Jeremy  likes to make things overcomplicated and mechanical. He even researched hill climb race bikes by contacting Dale Walksler of Wheels Through Time Museum to understand what style and components these vintage bikes should have.

Fre Style winner: Jeremy Cupp, LC Fabrications “Old Black“, 1975 XL

1 Jeremy Cupp, LC Fabrications  “Old Black“, 1975 XL
2 Simon Solomon, Hardly Civilized – “Quantum Leap“, 2010 Custom Bike
3 Susan Jurow, Camtech Custom Baggers – “High Roller“, 2005 Road King

Mod Harley
Ben Jordan, 47 Knucklehead, Paint by Ryan Young, Many single year and rare production parts, finished off like a 100 point antique restoration. Had disk cover rear wheel with matching front hub. Perfect bobber down to mouse trap and tank shift.

MOD Harley winner: Ben Jordan, Jordan Designs 1947 H-D

1 Ben Jordan, Jordan Designs- IN HOC SIGNO VINCES, 1947 H-D
2 Cory Edwards, Gilliland Customs-Sudden Impact, 1985 FXR
3 Dale Walkser-The Time Machine, 1961 Knuckle

Performance Custom
2008 Hayabusa, Paint by Neyon Paint. 1340cc Suzuki with RCC stage 1 turbo HRS blow off valve, Tial waste gate and low profile oil pan. Air ride, carbon fiber wheels with extended swing arm.

Cale Lohr’s “Power Corrupts”

1 Cale Lohr, Neyon Paint-Power Corrupts, 2008 Hayabusa
2 Garwood Custom Cycles- S.O. 2 (Silent Heros), 2010 ZX-14R
3 Gilliland Customs- Nasty Attitude, 2004 FXR

Retro Mod
Ben Jordon – 1949 Panhead with paint by Ryan Young – silver molded rigid frame, steel gray contrast engine finish, clean old school bobber with left exit side by side pipes.

RETROMOD winner, Ben Jordan’s 1949 Harley-Davidson

1 Ben Jordan-1949 Harley-Davidson
2 Lucas Joyner, Factory Metal Work-BSA A65
3 Edge, Edge/Fab Kevin-1953 Panhead

People’s Choice – Quantum Leap
Simon Solomon, Hardly Civilized – Quantum Leap, 2010 Custom Bike

People’s Choice Winner Quantum Leap

IronWorks Magazine Editor’s Choice
Thomas Russell, T-N-A Custom Motorcycles-Leaves in the Wind, 2011 Prostreet

IronWorks Magazine Editor’s Choice

IronWorks Magazine Editor’s Choice Winner Thomas Russell

Smart girls

Marilyn gets interviewed

at the IW dinner

IW dinner

IW dinner scene

Next up for the Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show will be the season finale at the Ocean Center Daytona Beach, 101 N. Atlantic Avenue, Daytona Beach, Florida. The show will run Wednesday, March 14 12:00pm – 6:00pm; Thursday, March 15 11:00am – 7:00pm; Friday, March 16 11:00am – 7:00pm and Saturday, March 17 10:00am – 5:00pm. The Ultimate Builder Custom Bike Show is an affiliate competition to the AMD World Championship of Custom Bike Building. The top 5 finishers at each round in the Freestyle Class and Modified Harley Class receive an automatic bid to the 2012 AMD World Championship of Custom Bike Building in Sturgis, SD.

Source and images: Biker Pros

Posted by Sam Kanish

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